By Murtala Issah
Pagba Saha Foundation, a civil society organisation, has expressed worry over increasing clashes between the police service and residents of Tamale.
The foundation is concerned about the security implications of tensions between the police and residents and wants stakeholders to take urgent steps to improve relations between the parties.
A statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Naa Hajia Sawuratu Alhassan Tim-Tooni Naa of Dagbon, urged residents to exercise restraint and respect the legal process and the rule of law.
The statement also cautioned the police against the use of excessive force against residents. The statement follows a recent clash between some residents of Tamale and the police at the Tamale District Court, which left at least four people injured.
The victims are residents who gathered at the Tamale District Court to witness the trial of a suspect, Karim Osman, who is facing charges of illegal sale of drugs in the metropolis.
The suspect was arrested by a local committee set up to counter the growing menace of drug abuse in the Northern regional capital, Tamale. There were allegations of attempts by the police to manipulate the trial process and free the suspect.
The statement from Pagba Saha Foundation noted that the trial represents an “essential moment in the justice system’s efforts to combat drug-related crimes and ensure that individuals accused of serious offences are afforded their legal rights”.
The statement said it is crucial to “uphold the principles of fairness, impartiality, and due process throughout the proceedings”.
A little over a year ago, a clash between the police and some residents of Tamale led to the death of a young Junior High School graduate while several others were injured. Two years ago, residents of Changli, a suburb of Tamale, clashed with the police, leading to injuries and the hospitalisation of many residents.